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CNET
5 minutes ago
- Business
- CNET
No Central Air? No Sweat. This Window AC Cools My Two-Story Row House All Summer Long
CNET's key takeaways The Windmill AC normally costs $349 for 6,000 BTUs, but you can often find it on sale on Windmill's website Amazon Home Depot Not only is the Windmill AC the easiest unit I've ever installed, it's the only AC unit I've tried that effectively kept my older and not well-insulated home cool during a heat wave. Bonus: It's actually stylish. Although, I still would have paid for an ugly one that works. Its normal price is higher than some other window AC units, but I've paid the same or more for units with similar specs that didn't work as well. I'm a sucker for an old home. My current rental unit -- a 100-year old row home with original 1920s art deco tile -- lured me in with its character and tall ceilings. But it also came with a tough trade-off: poor insulation and no central air conditioning. Every summer, like clockwork, I'd buy and test out new window air conditioners, only to feel frustrated by how poorly they worked. I'd end up selling them at the end of the season, and restart the cycle again the following spring. After years of sweating through sweltering three-digit temperatures and overbearing humidity, I finally found it: the Windmill WhisperTech window air conditioner. This innovative powerhouse was so effective at cooling my oversized master bedroom, that I eventually bought two more. These three AC units effectively cool my 2,500-square-foot Philadelphia row home even during intense heat waves. And they look great doing it. As a personal finance editor, I know how expensive home tech and appliances have gotten lately. The Windmill AC isn't the cheapest option available, but for me, it was well worth every cent. If you're also fed up with hot temperatures indoors, here's why I can't stop recommending this game-changing AC. I've had the 12,000 BTU Windmill WhisperTech air conditioner for three years, and it keeps our master bedroom comfortable during intense temperatures. (It's stylish, too!) Courtney Johnston/CNET My experience with the Windmill air conditioner I was skeptical about the Windmill window air conditioner when it first arrived. It was lighter than other units I'd tried out (I could pick it up myself), so I panicked, thinking there was no way this one could cool our south-facing 350 plus square foot bedroom. But within minutes, my partner and I had the unit installed and running. Only a few hours later, our bedroom felt less like a sauna and dropped to 68 degrees Fahrenheit -- a feat that hadn't happened with prior ACs. The humidity, which often jumped up to 65% or higher on humid days also dropped to below 50%. I was equally impressed by how well it maintained its set temperature, too. Especially during intense heat waves. The very next day, I ordered a second unit for the other end of our house. Note: CNET does scientific testing on window ACs at our Louisville testing labs. We will be testing the Windmill AC unit there this summer to see how fast it can cool a heated 92 degree Fahrenheit room and how well it can maintain 68 degrees Fahrenheit -- a tough test many AC units fail at. What makes the Windmill AC different? Windmill air conditioners have a few unique features, but what prompted me to add one to my cart was the unit's cooling design. Windmill ACs push cool air out of the top of the unit at a 45 degree angle for better cooling. After trying several big name window ACs that pushed air out horizontally, I was excited to find that this feature actually cooled a second-story room with a tall ceiling; the air seemed to circulate better since the unit pushes the cold air up, rather than out and down. No more hiding the ugly AC units I'd deal with an ugly air conditioner as long as it cooled my home. But I'm glad I don't have to. The Windmill air conditioner has a sleek, minimal design that many of my friends and family have commented on. The unit has an attractive front panel design that hides its air filter and houses tiny buttons that are nearly hidden at the top of the panel. The LED display lights automatically dim, so you don't have to worry about any visual disruptions at night. It also comes with side panel covers that offer extra insulation and a seamless look. Windmill also offers colorful magnetic panel fronts to add some whimsy to your window, if you're into that kind of thing. It's the quietest AC I've ever owned Although it wasn't a main selling point for me, I'm now a huge fan of Windmill's Whispertech quiet cooling technology. My first priority was an air conditioner that made my house feel comfortable; I just assumed that would come with some noise. The specs list it as 42 decibels -- softer than the average household refrigerator. I found my Windmill units comfortably quiet, even after regularly using two for almost three years. My partner and I are able to watch TV at a normal volume, talk to each other from other ends of the house and jump on work calls without the noise bothering us. I actually enjoy the white noise effect it offers in our bedroom at night. I do sometimes find the running noise distracting when I'm on work calls, but that would happen with any AC since my window is right next to my desk. This typically only happens if it's on high or medium, so I just switch it to low or eco-mode to solve this problem. You can install it in minutes (really) I've installed three of these units in multiple homes and windows, and it only takes me five to ten minutes to set up. That's because this unit comes pre-assembled. There's no attaching panels or screwing brackets onto the base before installing it. All you have to do is add the window foam to the sides of your windows, set the unit onto your window pane, expand the side panels, shut your window, then secure it with screws. If you can't drill into your window panes or if you rent (like me) and don't want to, you can secure it to a block of wood. I usually have my partner help me install this (one of us lifts while the other opens and lowers the window), but I've successfully installed it on my own in the past. It comes with a smart app and voice control Windmill will send a remote with your window AC, but if you have multiple units to control, I highly recommend using Windmill's smart app. It takes just a few minutes to install and register your device (they send a QR code you can use to make set up even easier). The Windmill app makes it easy to control settings for multiple window air conditioners in one spot. Screenshot by Courtney Johnston The app's easy to use and helpful if you leave the house and forget to adjust the temperature before you go. It does occasionally show the wrong temperatures, though. I had an issue with my office AC's temperature on the app showing as 61 degrees when it clearly wasn't, but a quick reset of the AC solved that. Similar to a smart thermostat, you can create automations to lower or raise the temperature, speed or even shut the unit off at certain times of day. It's a great tool if you want to raise the temperature while you're at work or away for a weekend. I don't use the voice control with Alexa feature, but if you're into that, it seems easy to set up. Eco mode keeps my energy bill low Since I have gas heat, my electric bill tends to go up in the summer when I'm running the AC. While that's still the case, I don't worry about large energy bill surges anymore. Windmill's eco-mode helps my rooms stay cool without causing a surprise electric bill. Windmill air conditioners are Energy Star rated, with up to a 15 Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio rating. To earn an Energy Star rating, air conditioners need a CEER rating of 12 or higher. Solves the storage dilemma I'm lucky to have a basement where I can store my air conditioners when I'm not using them. But if you don't have an extra closet or garage to house these units during the winter, Windmill sells winter covers that will protect your unit, keep your house insulated, and add a pop of color (if you choose) to your window. I like this idea, although the current options are fairly limited and I don't personally love any of the color schemes they offer. The specs 6,000, 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU units available. Pre-assembled for easy installation WhisperTech quiet technology The 6,000 BTU unit is 42 decibels Comes with side panel covers for extra insulation and a seamless finish Airflow at a 45 degree angle Auto-dimming LED lights Three cooling options Three fan speeds Eco-mode Remote control Smart app and voice control One-year limited warranty The 6,000 BTU unit retails for $350, but we usually see it on sale for $340. The 12,000 BTU retails for $629 and often on sale for $589. This 12,000 BTU Windmill air conditioner was installed in our dining room and cools our entire downstairs. Courtney Johnston/CNET CNET's buying advice I recommend Windmill window air conditioners to everyone I know who's looking for one. My experience with three units I own has been nothing but positive. They've outperformed GE and Midea air conditioners I've tried in the past and work well to keep my humid row house cool and comfortable. The biggest drawback of the Windmill air conditioner is its price. While the cost is on par with competitors like July (yes, they're an AC company named after one of the hottest months of the year) and Midea, you can find more affordable options. Paying $630 for a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner is a steep price, but you can frequently find them on sale at Windmill's website or at Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, P.C. Richards and Costco. If a Windmill AC isn't in your budget, don't go into debt to buy one. Instead consider the GE 5,000 BTU mechanical window air conditioner, CNET's best budget pick, the GE AHEC05AC window AC for around $160-170.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Struggling With Hair Loss? This First-Ever Prescription Gummy May Help
You've tried the serums, the vitamins and the topical solutions? How about a prescription gummy for hair loss? Hers, a telehealth company that provides online healthcare services and products for women, announced the launch of its Biotin-plus-Minoxidil Gummy, the first-of-its-kind prescription gummy formulated to support hair regrowth. Available through this gummy combines prescription-strength minoxidil, the only FDA-approved ingredient for female hair loss, with biotin, a popular vitamin for supporting healthy skin, hair and nails. Minoxidil is clinically proven to regrow thicker, fuller hair in three to six months (based on studies of oral minoxidil up to 2.5 mg per day at various doses). Best Vitamins for Hair Loss See at CNET It's the first prescription hair regrowth gummy to hit the market, and it offers women a more convenient way to stay consistent with treatment, something Hers' chief medical officer and OB-GYN, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, says is often overlooked in traditional regimens. "The gummy is a once-daily dose that's designed to help women stick to their prescribed hair regimens as deemed clinically necessary by their provider to address their individual needs," she says. Shepherd told CNET that everything about the product, from the packaging to the vegan formula to the taste (green apple flavor) and texture, was crafted with women's preferences in mind. The goal is a treatment that feels more like a self-care ritual than a chore. Why a gummy? Unlike traditional pills or topicals, the Biotin plus Minoxidil Gummy was formulated with adherence in mind. The proprietary compounded formula allows providers to personalize each prescription to individual needs, including adjusting the dosage to minimize side effects or combining multiple ingredients to tackle various concerns simultaneously. "By leveraging the power of personalization, we're making it possible for women to access treatment designed to address their individual needs for their unique body, lifestyle and goals. This is the benefit of compounding," says Shepherd. How much does it cost, and where can I get it? The Biotin plus Minoxidil Gummy is available through Hers after a virtual consultation with one of its licensed providers. Each prescription is customized based on your unique hair loss patterns and goals. Hers strives to offer patients affordable treatments without insurance (no insurance is accepted), and the gummies start at $35 per month. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit
CNET
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Upgrade Your Kitchen for Less With This $90 4-in-1 Ninja Air Fryer Deal
Air fryers are some of the most versatile kitchen appliances you can own, and they've become increasingly popular in recent years. One reason for that is their ability to make all kinds of meals from scratch, reheat delicious leftovers, cook frozen meals and more. They're also getting better than ever, with new features being added with each new release. All of that means that now is a great time to dip your toe into the magical world of the air fryer. Even better, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is down to just $90 right now. That's a savings of $40 on the usual asking price of $130. This Ninja Air Fryer Pro can reach temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and is capable of air frying, reheating, dehydrating and roasting. Like other air fryers, you can get crispy, delicious results with less oil and fat, which can result in healthier meals. Its 5-quart capacity means you can cook up to 5 pounds of chicken wings, perfect for parties, family dinners and meal prep. This air fryer includes a nonstick basket and crisper that you can easily clean after you're finished cooking. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. If you need to cook larger meals or if you have more counter space to spare, you can also save $60 on the 6.5-quart Ninja Pro XL 6-in-1 air fryer. This one can cook slightly larger quantities of food, is programmable and can reach temperatures of 450 degrees Fahrenheit for even faster cooking. Regardless of the size and model you choose, both of these Ninja air fryers will save you time and space, and they both include a recipe book and cooking charts. Amazon post-holiday deals like this one tend to change without notice, so we suggest acting fast if you want to be sure to get these prices. Looking for something else? We're keeping up with all the best lingering Labor Day offers across the internet, including deals on kitchen appliances, home goods, tech gear and more. Why this deal matters You only have to search online to see how much people love their air fryers, and we think they'd probably love them even more if they'd taken advantage of this deal. You still can, but we don't know for how much longer.
CNET
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
I Tried AI to Build a Website in 3 Hours -- It Only Took 30 Minutes
Facing down the task of building a new website? I'm betting you'd like to spend less than 3 hours on it. Personally, I've been needing to make a site for my company, but I've been overwhelmed by the surplus of creative talent, brand identity and design companies available for hire -- and I'm hyper-aware of the many steps between website design and launch. I first heard of Wix in 2016, but I hadn't looked that far into it since I was committed to another design platform. But when I noticed that part of its newest artificial intelligence offerings included an upgraded website builder, I thought this would be a good time to test Wix as a website domain -- and check out its take on AI. (I will admit my curiosity was influenced by it ranking No. 1 on CNET's best website builders list.) Wix ADI vs. Wix AI Wix's first iteration of its website builder, Wix ADI, launched as a quicker way to build websites. After plugging in your design requirements and preferences, ADI responds with design options based on these inputs. This allows you to customize the design process in an attempt to make designing less of a big task and more of a guided approach. Its target demographic is someone with no design experience looking for simplification and ease, yet you need a subscription plan, which ranges between $17 to $159 a month, to access it. The main difference between Wix ADI and the newer Wix AI is that Wix AI is an enhancement to ADI -- the next generation of site creation, "offering more sophisticated design and content generation abilities, as well as a suite of Wix's AI-powered tools designed to help increase your productivity and reduce the effort required to create the website you envision." Is Wix AI free to use? With new AI upgrades, including a chat system that uses natural language processing -- machine learning that helps machines communicate in human language, like the Bing and ChatGPT chatbots -- to understand your vision, Wix AI's response is a more personalized website outcome than its ADI system. Plus, Wix AI is free to use. How to quickly build a website with AI I appreciate the playfulness of Wix AI's Website Builder. For anticipating the creative possibilities that lie ahead, the user experience of its landing page supported this. Once I entered the Wix Site Creation area, I was greeted with a message to start a chat about my website project. In the footer, it reminds you that "AI can make mistakes," so as always make sure you double check the accuracy of its suggestions. It also advises you not to share personal information, which you should always keep in mind when using AI chatbots -- keep personal and sensitive information off the table to avoid the risk of data breaches. These were the steps to setting up my website on Wix AI: 1: The Website Builder first inquired about my Site Name, Site Type, Site Applications and my project Goals. Then, I was asked about the services I'd offer and any specific website end goals. 2: I was asked about specific features that would support these goals. I didn't know the answer to this, so I asked Wix AI for some suggestions. Screenshot by CNET 3: The natural language processing system then took those answers and generated a website for me. It included a Site Brief that breaks down what structures were added to my website, plus the ability to Make It A Little Different or Regenerate Site. I ended up utilizing this feature because I wasn't pleased with the first take -- including a stock photo of a hand that literally could not belong to me, nor my target audience. 4: Wix's second attempt at a website design was more aligned, including a mosaic-like style that worked well with my simple, organized vision. From here, you can adjust the content and design details: typography, images, colors, line weights, text and moving around design blocks. 5: My website resulted in five blocks, including Website Menu/Homepage, Offerings, Gallery Showcase, Philosophy and Footer. Knowing that I could easily spend the other 150 minutes of my initial expectation toggling around and fine-tuning each area of my site, I was happy with what Wix built for me in 30. Should you use AI to build a website? The website design Wix AI came up with for me. Screenshot by CNET As someone who has entered -- and quickly exited -- a $1,000 website design course, I enjoyed the Wix AI Website Builder for its design process. The chat system was my favorite part; it felt like I was working one-on-one with a design consultant. And since it forced me to think about my end goal and design needs (which I believe is half the struggle), navigating a website design after the structure is laid out based on your specific needs feels much more approachable. Now, I absolutely label myself as someone with no design experience, who is short on time (and patience) and whose end goal was to get something up to consider it complete. The Wix AI Website Builder wasn't created for someone who designs daily, but a design-savvy professional could find the website-building experience a fun tool to navigate and explore. And for someone with no design experience, it made the task easy, possible and fast. I could name numerous activities that waste 30 minutes -- you know, those that seemingly feel like three hours -- but I wouldn't rank Wix AI's Website Builder up there. We all deserve to express our needs and have them met, even if it's with an artificial intelligence platform. And it listens! And responds accordingly. Fascinating.
CNET
3 hours ago
- CNET
I Took My Leica On a Trip to the Arctic. Here Are My Pro Tips for a Photography Adventure
Earlier this year, I traveled to Sweden to research, write and photograph a feature for CNET on why electric cars are great for winter driving. It was a huge undertaking, requiring me to travel around multiple parts of Sweden and venture north into the frozen Arctic Circle. As both a journalist and a professional photographer, it was my job to not just tell the story with my words, but to capture it on camera. That meant traveling with precisely the right equipment and knowing exactly how to use it to get the shots I'd need. From the camera gear I took with me to the difficulties of shooting on location to the thought process behind my shots, here's how I captured my story on camera. The camera gear I used Because I'd be traveling around Sweden, hopping on and off trains and planes and jumping in and out of taxis, I knew I needed to keep my setup lightweight. I didn't want to be burdened with a heavy backpack full of camera bodies and a myriad of lenses and accessories. Instead, I took just one camera: my new Leica Q3 43. Shooting stills on the frozen lake. Volvo I bought this camera for myself late last year. It combines a high-resolution, full-frame image sensor with a fixed focal length of 43mm. I love this focal length because it provides a great balance between a wide-angle view and a zoomed-in look. I often shoot on 35mm or 50mm prime lenses, so a 43mm lens that's permanently affixed to the camera is a great sweet spot for me. The result is that I had just one camera and lens to carry, keeping my pack-load down and eliminating any distracting questions in my head about which focal length to use. Instead, it encouraged me to work harder to find the best compositions. I brought a spare battery, along with a power bank to top up the camera over USB-C if I needed to (which I didn't). The only addition to my setup was a PolarPro 135 Gold Mist filter. This provides a gentle golden haze over the images that softens the sometimes harsh details of high-resolution shots and provides a slightly filmlike aesthetic that I absolutely love, and I kept this filter on the camera almost the entire time. To help protect my camera, I used a leather Oberwerth half case, which also provided extra grip -- helped too by a PolarPro thumb grip on the back. The half case also has a hidden pocket for an Apple AirTag, giving me a degree of extra peace of mind should my camera be misplaced. So that it was always ready to shoot, I often carried the camera around my neck using a Bowman Leather camera strap. Needless to say, for a $7,000 camera, I had my own photographic insurance for it, in case anything unlucky happened. When the gear wasn't in use, I carried the camera, accessories and other bits and bobs in my Wandrd Prvke backpack, which provides a secure storage section for my camera equipment, along with an expandable roll top for my jacket, hat, gloves or anything else I need to take with me. Video equipment Andrew Lanxon/CNET I also needed to shoot video on this trip, both for the CNET video that would run alongside my article, and to capture content for my personal photography YouTube channel. To help keep the weight down, I decided to buy a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo. This tiny, gimbal-stabilized camera captures great-looking, smooth footage and was the perfect partner for my busy schedule. I used it for capturing B-roll inside Volvo's headquarters in Gothenburg; for filming cars as they slid around on a frozen lake; and for capturing my photographic walking tours of Stockholm on one of my days off (seen embedded above). Sure, maybe the footage wasn't as cinematic as I'd normally try to achieve from my usual Canon R5, but it looked more than good enough and the DJI setup was far easier to carry around with me than a full-size mirrorless camera and lenses. Arctic photography The first destination on my trip was Volvo's HQ, where I was shown various areas used for the testing of its electric vehicles. Places like this aren't always easy to shoot. The main issue is that Volvo, understandably, isn't keen on showing off all its engineering secrets, so many areas I visited were off-limits for photography. Other spots where photos could be taken were maybe not that illustrative for my story, so it was important to work with Volvo -- as I do with any company -- to find compromises that both sides are happy with. That wasn't a problem, and I'm especially pleased with some of my imagery taken inside the company's battery testing area, which was a key subject of my written piece. As a journalist and photographer, my aim is always to rely on my own images when I'm visiting an area like this. It adds to the authenticity of the story, showing CNET's readers that I've actually been somewhere and seen something firsthand. This wouldn't be the case if I simply used images provided by the company. Things got more dramatic as I joined Volvo in the frozen north of Sweden. My trip first took me up to the Arctic Circle, to the city of Kiruna, where I not only saw inside Volvo's Arctic testing facility, but was also given the opportunity to ride a snowmobile at night across frozen lakes and through snowbound forests. Taking this image of the aurora borealis required a tripod and a slow shutter speed. Andrew Lanxon/CNET It was amazing, especially when we stopped and got a brief glimpse of the northern lights overhead. I set my camera up on my Peak Design Travel Tripod, framed my image using the snowmobiles as foreground interest and used a three-second shutter speed and ISO of 800 to capture enough light. I'm pleased with the image I was able to get. Watch this: I Drove an EV This Winter in Sweden to Prove It Could Be Done. 04:18 Frantic photos on a frozen lake We then traveled a little more south, to the city of Lulea, where we were handed the keys to Volvo's all-electric EX90 and given a route that would take us across the countryside and to an ice track Volvo had cleared on a frozen lake. I shared the driving with another journalist on this leg of the trip, giving me an opportunity to shoot out of the car window, capturing some details around the area that I felt would add some extra color and scene-setting to my story. On the lake, things were less sedate. I started off doing some of my own driving, going hell-for-leather around the course in the hopes of sending the car sideways around the corners -- and frequently spinning off the track into snow drifts. Great fun. I'd attached my DJI Osmo on a small clamp inside the car to film my efforts from multiple angles, but then it was time for me to do something a bit more dangerous. Capturing a car in motion like this is no easy task Andrew Lanxon/CNET I needed to capture images and footage of the cars driving, and that required a more complicated setup. First, I needed one of Volvo's test drivers to drive the car that would be the subject. I'd then be in a car in front, sitting in the trunk with the tailgate open, allowing me to freely photograph the car as it drove close behind us. When I do this on public roads, I wear a high-vis vest and I'm firmly attached inside the car using a safety harness. We didn't have this on the closed track, so I just had to sit in the back and try not to slide out as we took each corner. At one point I nearly did, but I kept my foot pressed hard against the side to support me, which helped. Was it safe? No, not really, and it's absolutely not something I'd have done on public roads, if nothing else, because it would've been illegal. But it was the only way I was able to get the shots I required of the cars in action. The freezing conditions and high speeds on the track meant that snow and ice billowed around me, covering me -- and the camera -- in snow. Thankfully, my Leica Q3 43 is weather-sealed, so I wasn't worried about any water damage. At the top of this article, you can see me sitting with the remnants of snow on me. Hunched in the open back of the car, I tried hard not to fall out. Volvo I used a slower shutter speed on my camera -- usually around 1/80 of a second -- which slightly blurred the motion of the car's wheels and the ground as it sped past, while hopefully keeping the car in sharp focus. I used burst mode to increase the chances of getting sharp, usable images, but even then I got only about 10 that I was happy with out of the couple of hundred I shot. But that's fine, I needed only a few to illustrate my story. I did another run, this time with my Osmo, to capture video. I did some out of the back and some out of side windows, filming both the subject car behind and some footage of the car we were driving, in order to give our talented video editors more varied footage to work with. After our last lap, the day came to an end, as did my time in Sweden. Editing and advice I shot many of the images on this trip using Leica's built-in Chrome color profile. I adore the colors and tones it provides, especially when paired with the PolarPro Gold Mist filter. But I shot my images in both JPEG and raw, allowing me to also apply my own edits to the raw files if I wanted to. For some shots -- like the ones of the cars in motion on the track -- I used my own edits, while for others I simply used the JPEG with the Chrome profile built in. The Leica's built-in colors allowed for dreamy-looking shots. Andrew Lanxon/CNET I shot many images for my own use on my travels, and the majority of my favorite shots use the built-in colors from the Leica. Don't be afraid to use these profiles, as they can offer you a great creative boost when you're out taking your images. Fujifilm's cameras (like the excellent X100VI) are famed for having a variety of stunning filmlike color profiles built in, so look toward those if you're keen on using in-camera colors. Overall, I'm really pleased with the variety of images I shot for CNET and for myself. It really helped that I kept my equipment load to a minimum, because it allowed me to be nimble and react quickly to moments when I saw them. If you're keen on taking your own travel and documentary photos like this, make sure to check out my full guide to professional travel photography. Editors' note: Travel costs related to parts of this story were covered by the manufacturer, which is common in the auto industry. The judgments and opinions of CNET's staff are our own.
